iRadio, as it's being called, will definitely take a back seat to
the big news of the day, which is an expected redesign of iOS,
the software that powers iPhones and iPads.

But that doesn't mean Apple's iRadio isn't important.

We'll be looking at iRadio for one reason in particular: We want
to see if Apple can produce a new software service that actually
works, and works well.

Apple's most recent attempts at software services like the
Podcast app, Maps, iTunes Match, and Siri have all been buggy. If
iRadio is also a buggy mess, then it's going to be genuinely
worrisome for Apple.

However, its
services are weak, especially compared to its chief rival,
Google. Google's Maps are better than Apple's Maps. Google has
Gmail, while Apple's iCloud email isn't all that popular, or
great. Google Now is a much better vision for a personal
assistant than Siri.

Apple's iOS software, and its hardware design, are better than
Android, or anything Android's partners do.

However, Google is improving its software at a greater rate than
Apple is improving its services. And, HTC has arguably produced a
piece of hardware with HTC One that is as good as, or better
than, the iPhone 5.

In other words, Apple's rivals are closing the gap in hardware
and software faster than Apple is closing the gap in services.

As Apple fights with Google to win over the next batch of
smartphone owners, it's going to need great services.

Right now, it's unclear if Apple is up to the task. iRadio should
give us some clues.